Price levels for consumer goods differ widely in EU

Price levels for consumer goods and services in 2014 differed widely in the European Union (EU), data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU showed Friday.

Poland was the cheapest both for food and consumer electronics, while alcohol and tobacco as well as restaurants and hotels were the least expensive in Bulgaria.

Prices for clothing were the lowest in Hungary, while the Czech Republic was least expensive for both consumer electronics and personal transport equipment such as cars.

Among EU member states, clothing and consumer electronics are the groups of products showing a smaller price variation.

In contrast, prices for restaurants and hotels showed more significant variations, with price levels ranging from 46 percent of the average in Bulgaria to 147 percent of the average in Denmark.

Overall, price levels ranged from 48 percent of the EU average in Bulgaria to 138 percent in Denmark.

Eurostat said this large price variation is mainly due to differences in taxation of these products among member states. Endit